What kind of doctor would be best for treating Costochondritis?

Question

I have suffered with this for 7 years non stop. its getting to the point where its no longer tolerable. i get to where i cant breath and it feels like i am having a heart attack.  the inflammation has spread so much that it has caused my PVC's and dangerous arrhythmias.   i have been to 6 different cardiologist. my heart is fine. its the inflammation from my chest that is doing all this to me.  i will wake up not able to breath. feels like a truck is parked on my chest.  i stand up. put my shoulder back and breath deep and every rib in my chest will crunch, and then each one violently will pop.  just POP.POP.POP.POP.   then i feel fine for about 5 mins. then they tighten up all over again. its been this way for 7 years. i cant take it anymore. this inflammation has spread to my shoulders, elbows, wrist, neck and even my jaws.  i open my mouth wide and both my jaws will do this same crunching and popping thing. i stretch and my elbows do it. i shrug my shoulders and all you hear is CRUNCH!!!!  coming from my shoulders. because of how it has spread i at one point suspected Rheumatoid arthritis.  but my GP ran blood test and my Rheumatoid factor was normal. but i still don't guess that would really rule it out. i have known someone to have a normal PSA but still have prostate cancer. so anything is possible i guess. but  this is getting ridiculous. days like to day i am particularly suffering. the weather is changing. its going to rain today.  on days like this my chest feels like its been ran over by a dump truck.  i am a pretty tough person. i have a rather high tolerance for pain. but this is bringing me to me knees.  right not i am siting here hugging a pillow i stuffed with ice packs. it helps. but its not enough.   i have been given all kinds of drugs to treat this. all kinds of antinflamatories. even steroids. nothing has worked.  i read online that one treatment they inject steroids directly into the effected areas. i haven't had that done. i doubt i would want that either. it sounds rather unpleasant. but so far all the oral medications that i have been given has failed to work. i need to see an expert on this. a doctor that really knows a lot about this condition and one best equipped to treat it. because what has been done so far hasn't worked. and i am getting desperate for relief.  What are your suggestions?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I doubt whether costochondritis would last this long and cause so many symptoms. I am not saying that you have not had it, only that it may have been the trigger for some other conditions to develop. I am at a bit of a loss as to what would cause this. Have you seen a rheumatologist? The other thing that springs to mind is some sort of auto-immune disorder. They can cause a wide variety of signs and symptoms, which can look as though they are unconnected. I have the feeling that there is one underlying condition which is causing this. This kind of level of chronic pain is extremely difficult to live with I know. Has your doctor ever considered the use of anti-depressants? They are extremely effective when used along with your normal painkillers. Another drug worth asking your doctor about is gabepentin which is actually an anti-convulsant but works well with chronic pain. Have you considered going to a pain management clinic which are run at hospitals and are full of help and support and showing ways of dealing with the long term pain. Another test that would be helpful is a bone scan as that would show up the state of your bones, and  if they are deformed in any way. An expert in "bones" is one thing you need, and as I am in the UK I do not know who they are in the States. I know it is very difficult but you have to keep searching until you get answers and the right help. Good luck

Anonymous · Answer

You don't say who is treating this for you.  Have you been to really good places like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota or maybe Cleveland Clinic?  See someone who is interested in treating the disease instead of someone that is treating the disease because it keeps money coming in.

? · Answer

hepatitis c...which by the way is prevelent in 75% of veterans and you have every classic symptom. hcv is spread via mass innoculation proceedures...get tested! good luck and thanks for everything you've help accomplish! HUGS!

Trending News

What kind of doctor would be best for treating Costochondritis?

3 Answers